Physics at Home

You can build your own "vortex generator" with just a few simple, household materials. The PBS' Air Cannon shows how to build an air cannon from a plastic bag, bucket, and rubber bands--just be sure to have an adult working with you. There is even a poll so that you can report your results and compare them with what others found.

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From Physics Research

This photo (hi-res version) shows the wake of an insect model towed in water, with magnetic forces simulating the effect of the insect's beatings wings. For a different kind of investigation of insect flight, see Michael Dickinson's Fly-o-Rama, which includes a robotic fly and a flight simulator for flies.